Deeper Self
We are all very familiar with our ego self, that part of us which operates on the earthly level. We are also all more or less aware that deep within us we have another self, a direct reflection of our divine inheritance which becomes more and more familiar to us as we grow.
There are many different terms for what we are talking about here; our true self, our inner teacher, our still small voice. Whatever name we choose, it is the part of us that contains our deep wisdom, the part that is connected to our spiritual or soul level. Here we will call it our deeper self.
Both selves are valid and necessary expressions of who we are. Our ego self expresses specific individualized qualities and characteristics that make us unique. Our deeper self expresses universal spiritual qualities of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and humility.
Our deeper self is our source of creativity, generosity, the desire to serve, right thinking and living, devotion, and faith. Unlike our ego self, it knows from the beginning who it is and what it is and why it is here. It is whole and unified, not divided. While our ego self has many different aspects, our deeper self has a sense of oneness.
Our deeper self seeks harmony and experience, and what experience we have, once we become aware that we have both selves within us! As we learn to appreciate the voices of both selves, we become aware that our ego self demands our attention while our deeper self quietly calls for our focus. The voice of our ego self is full of questions such as "how," "when," "where," "who," and "why." It reasons, justifies, and judges. It is most entertaining and very creative.
The voice of our deeper self is quiet, calm, sure, and simple. It often speaks in simple statements such as "yes," "no," "go," "now," and "listen." It doesn't engage in reasoning things out, it gently speaks its knowing. It is persistent but never coercive. It peacefully sits, watching and waiting. It knows it is connected and at home in the universe, so there is no anxiety or fear about what it has or does not have. Because our deeper self operates from a place of peace, it expresses itself through feelings of joy, contentment, and serenity.
Our deeper self is not some stage of development to be achieved. It is not some "gift" that some people have and others don't. It is present in all of us. Just as each of us has a unique individualized ego self, each has a unique deeper self that is connected to the Whole.
Different experiences bring forth the deeper self for each of us. Some of us just naturally and gradually slip into greater and greater expressions of our deeper self with each year that passes. Others of us become aware of this self through challenges, crises, or creative experiences in life. Often, we seem asleep to this power within us until some circumstance requires us to dig deeply into our reserves and find our deeper self, awake and ready to help.
We may seek to increase our awareness of our deeper self through books, workshops, classes, and ceremonies, but ultimately, we find it simply in quiet. With practice, we learn to ignore the clamor around us and the chatter of our ego self, and hear the quiet sure wisdom of our still, small voice. Regardless of how unaware we may be of our deeper self, it is always present within us. All of us have it all the time.
And herein lies a challenge for our entire lives—the challenge of awareness. Once we become aware that we have both aspects, we can learn to listen to both, and distinguish between their voices. Neither is to be ignored or disrespected. We need both working in harmony to express our wholeness. We just need to be aware of the source of the message we are hearing so we can make wise and loving choices.
Both selves are essential for us to be who we are. The ego self needs the deeper self for its clarity and wisdom. The deeper self in turn needs the ego self to demonstrate its unique individualized qualities, and as a mechanism for gaining experience.
As we focus our ego self on those qualities which are most loving and in harmony, we experience more and more the joy of connection to our deeper self. Then our deeper wiser self can better shine through our beautiful, individualized characteristics with its bright light of truth, wisdom, and love.
There are many different terms for what we are talking about here; our true self, our inner teacher, our still small voice. Whatever name we choose, it is the part of us that contains our deep wisdom, the part that is connected to our spiritual or soul level. Here we will call it our deeper self.
Both selves are valid and necessary expressions of who we are. Our ego self expresses specific individualized qualities and characteristics that make us unique. Our deeper self expresses universal spiritual qualities of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and humility.
Our deeper self is our source of creativity, generosity, the desire to serve, right thinking and living, devotion, and faith. Unlike our ego self, it knows from the beginning who it is and what it is and why it is here. It is whole and unified, not divided. While our ego self has many different aspects, our deeper self has a sense of oneness.
Our deeper self seeks harmony and experience, and what experience we have, once we become aware that we have both selves within us! As we learn to appreciate the voices of both selves, we become aware that our ego self demands our attention while our deeper self quietly calls for our focus. The voice of our ego self is full of questions such as "how," "when," "where," "who," and "why." It reasons, justifies, and judges. It is most entertaining and very creative.
The voice of our deeper self is quiet, calm, sure, and simple. It often speaks in simple statements such as "yes," "no," "go," "now," and "listen." It doesn't engage in reasoning things out, it gently speaks its knowing. It is persistent but never coercive. It peacefully sits, watching and waiting. It knows it is connected and at home in the universe, so there is no anxiety or fear about what it has or does not have. Because our deeper self operates from a place of peace, it expresses itself through feelings of joy, contentment, and serenity.
Our deeper self is not some stage of development to be achieved. It is not some "gift" that some people have and others don't. It is present in all of us. Just as each of us has a unique individualized ego self, each has a unique deeper self that is connected to the Whole.
Different experiences bring forth the deeper self for each of us. Some of us just naturally and gradually slip into greater and greater expressions of our deeper self with each year that passes. Others of us become aware of this self through challenges, crises, or creative experiences in life. Often, we seem asleep to this power within us until some circumstance requires us to dig deeply into our reserves and find our deeper self, awake and ready to help.
We may seek to increase our awareness of our deeper self through books, workshops, classes, and ceremonies, but ultimately, we find it simply in quiet. With practice, we learn to ignore the clamor around us and the chatter of our ego self, and hear the quiet sure wisdom of our still, small voice. Regardless of how unaware we may be of our deeper self, it is always present within us. All of us have it all the time.
And herein lies a challenge for our entire lives—the challenge of awareness. Once we become aware that we have both aspects, we can learn to listen to both, and distinguish between their voices. Neither is to be ignored or disrespected. We need both working in harmony to express our wholeness. We just need to be aware of the source of the message we are hearing so we can make wise and loving choices.
Both selves are essential for us to be who we are. The ego self needs the deeper self for its clarity and wisdom. The deeper self in turn needs the ego self to demonstrate its unique individualized qualities, and as a mechanism for gaining experience.
As we focus our ego self on those qualities which are most loving and in harmony, we experience more and more the joy of connection to our deeper self. Then our deeper wiser self can better shine through our beautiful, individualized characteristics with its bright light of truth, wisdom, and love.
posted by Radisson at 12:18 AM
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